5,555-kg bell installed at Panchakot to promote tourism

DHORPATAN (BAGLUNG), Feb 17: A giant bell weighing 5,555-kg has been installed at Sarbasiddadham Panchakot in Baglung district to promote religious tourism here.

The bell named ' Muktinath Maha Ghanta' was brought to Panchakot last week where there are dozens of other religious infrastructures such as Sish Mahal, Gandaki Mata's Temple, Yagyashala (to perform Yagya) and a huge statue of Lord Hanuman.

Construction of religious infrastructures at Panchakot began in 2072 BS with financial support from several donors, local government and money collected from Mahayagya.

The bell was installed to develop and promote Panchakot, a hilly area situated at 1,750 meters above the sea level, as a religious tourism site, said Muktinath Pithadhishwor Kamalanayanacharya.

The bell, made up of various metals such as gold, silver, copper, brass and iron, will be officially inaugurated on February 21 on the occasion of a yagya (a religious function, to be initiated on that day, he shared.

It took eight years to build the bell at the cost of around Rs 20 million, he said. The sound of the bell would reach as far as Baglung, Parbat, Myagdi and a majority of villages in Mustang district, he claimed.

The bell will be placed nearby under-construction 108-feet tall Kalash. The then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid a foundation stone for construction of religious infrastructures at the site some eight years ago.

Over Rs 500 million has been spent so far to develop Panchakot as a religious tourism spot, added Damodar Shastri Dahal, Chairperson of Sarbasiddidham Panchakot Development Council.

According to him, more infrastructures are under-construction for tourism attraction and conservation of religious cultures. Panchakot, which draws some 300 to 400  a day, is expected to see a surge in the arrival of visitors with the new attraction-Muktinath Maha Ghanta.

(RSS)